Risk

So, over the past few weeks, it seems that taking a risk has been a major theme in my life. Over and over again, it's been brought about in subtle and not so subtle ways. The week of my sixth month review, my boss gave me a little "sneak peek" of what he was going to say. He happened to be filling out the portion on innovation and said, "You need to take more risks...Your assignment is to go skydiving."

I think that same week the speaker in chapel apparently spoke on taking risks. I had several people tell me that I should have been there - both Nick and John told me I needed to get the tape.

Even as Nick and I have begun a journey together, I have been consciously aware of the risk that is involved in opening my heart to him.

Now tonight, I ran across this quote and feel very strongly that this is the crux of where I'm at. I don't know, God...can you be anymore clear?

Then the time came when the risk it took

To remain tight in a bud was more painful

Than the risk it took to blossom.

--Anais Nin

Kansas City (more from day one)

I had a sweet moment with a staff member from the IHOP last night. She spent some time praying with me after the Encountering God service--in fact they shut the lights off while we were still praying...

She was praying that God would clothe me in His armor and I saw a picture of Christ cloaking me with Himself. He is the truth girded around me, my security; the righteousness that covers over my heart, covering over a multitude of sins; he is my salvation that guards my mind--my identity in Him; He is my peace, my sure foundation, I will not be shaken; He is the Living Word, sharp and active, ready to defend and battle on my behalf; He is the author and perfector of my faith, protecting me from the arrows of the enemy.

It was a powerful moment as I grasped the reality of how He longs to protect me and how safe I am in Him.

Kansas City Day 1

I love coming down to Kansas City...right now I am sitting in the Higher Grounds coffee shop drinking a really good cup of coffee. There's something about the atmosphere here that is so peaceful. I love that I can just sit and be...There is absolutely nothing vying for my time or attention, except the Lord.

On the way down, my friend Shelley and I talked about what we were expecting to get out of this weekend. I hadn't really put a whole lot of thought into what I was expecting God to do, but the more I think about it, I feel there is an urgency to allow God to soften my heart. I want to be able to receive more and more of His heart towards me and in turn, the more satisfied I am in His Love, the more I can pour out to others.

By the way it's supposed to get up to 63 degrees today!!! I'm wearing a t-shirt and loving it!